K&L removes the feline from the poke

Since K&L wont turn on comments, I have to pound my head on the keyboard here. The veterans of this board have long noted that inexpensive doesnt always mean low quality. In fact we know quite a few bourbons and whiskies that are great but dont break the bank. Looks like some others are catching on now too (http://spiritsjournal.klwines.com/kl...-to-drink.html ).

My consolation is K&L's blog is read mostly by those who already know these facts; pretty much preaching to the choir, thank goodness. I hope to never see the day when my everyday whiskies start exploding in price like we see with Scotch.

K&L removes the feline from the poke

Yes, it's harder to find some bottlings now due to their popularity. Yes, the qualities of some bottlings are being reduced due to their popularity.

But you know what? I'm a relative newbie. So are you, OP. I've been accepted here with open arms. No one has any right to grumble over new drinkers discovering whiskey, or discovering pours that are great values, or discovering one particular "hidden secret" pour. Good for K&L for writing that blog post. Whiskey's good. I welcome all who want to drink it to do so. I don't expect them to limit themselves to trendy expressions.

Re: K&L removes the feline from the poke

Re: K&L removes the feline from the poke

Name-dropping OGD and OWA in a niche blog doesn't seem like cause for concern. There's plenty of that stuff to go around. There's eventually going to be an equalization between the consumer and the supply and I think we're getting close to it. If everybody starts freaking out over OWA, maybe I can find a few bottles of WLW13 this year.

Re: K&L removes the feline from the poke

If he allowed comments, I'd let Driscoll in on a little secret about why many spirits drinkers don't bother with "everyday" spirits (although of course he is wrong that OGD and others don't get talked about on message boards). When you open a bottle of beer, or a bottle of wine, you feel compelled to use the whole thing up pretty quickly. Most people simply can't afford to open a "top shelf" beer or wine on a daily basis, or don't want to spend that much even if they can afford it. Spirits, however, can be consumed a little at a time over a long period. You can have a nip of a top shelfer any night of the week you feel like it without feeling committed to drinking an expensive quantity. Plus, the per serving cost of a highly regarded whiskey like Stagg, ECBP or whatever, is still typically way lower than that of similarly esteemed wine or beer. (Hell, one reason I started renewing my interest in whiskey was my frustration with the escalating price of many good cellarable beers.) So the practical fact is people can generally afford to be pickier when it comes to spirits. At least for now.

Re: K&L removes the feline from the poke

That is my challenge - it isn't that I don't enjoy EWBL, but I can only drink so many pours a week/month/year. If I didn't buy another bottle, I'd go without wanting for several years. To BigBoldBully's point - if I survived only on GTS, ECBP, FR1B, etc - unless I was pouring several ounces a day, it wouldn't break the bank. It may be that when I retire my budget requires that to change - and I just hope OGD 114 and other gems are still available

Gary (aka 'Country')=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
"Too much of anything is bad, but too much of good whiskey is barely enough." - Mark Twain
"Because Whiskey Matters!" - David Perkins

Re: K&L removes the feline from the poke

Sometimes, just like with beer or wine, I just want a drink without having to think about it - a cold beer after working in the yard, a simple glass of wine with some cheese, or OGD, JB Black, or most recently VOB BiB when working the grill, watching TV or reading a book. Like session beers, just something nice, quality, and enjoyable without requiring so much ... attention, I guess.

Top shelf just doesn't fit for me in all situations. A premium Cab or whisk(e)y require attention and in some situations, well, it is just distracting!

Re: K&L removes the feline from the poke

Here in Australia our most expensive nationally available (not limited edition) bottle to buy at retail is Bookers for $90. Using a standard 30ml pour which is what you'd get in any Aussie bar when asking for a shot of whiskey, that's 25 standard drinks per bottle at $3.60 per pour. In most bars a Jim Beam White 30ml shot and coke would set you back at least $4, so I figure buying top shelf to consume at home is a bargain here. I know our market is unique () and doesn't reflect US prices, but it does make an interesting comparison.

Re: K&L removes the feline from the poke

Yes, it's harder to find some bottlings now due to their popularity. Yes, the qualities of some bottlings are being reduced due to their popularity.

But you know what? I'm a relative newbie. So are you, OP. I've been accepted here with open arms. No one has any right to grumble over new drinkers discovering whiskey, or discovering pours that are great values, or discovering one particular "hidden secret" pour. Good for K&L for writing that blog post. Whiskey's good. I welcome all who want to drink it to do so. I don't expect them to limit themselves to trendy expressions.

i freely admit my statement is selfish. doesnt change my opinion, but the world would be a boring place if everyone agreed with me.